If you're looking for a cleaner and cheaper alternative to using fossil fuels for your home comfort, one option you'll want to consider is solar power. Due to the myths that eager salespeople and spammy ads communicate, it's important to do your own thorough research before going solar. Learn more about the pros and cons of solar energy.
Advantages of Solar Energy
- Lower electricity bills — Installing solar power can drastically reduce your bills. The sun generates power for your home, reducing your dependence on your utility provider. In addition to the bill savings you enjoy, you can earn extra cash or bill credits through net metering and SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits).
- Renewable — Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy can't run out. According to scientists, the sun will be available for another 5 billion years.
- Environmentally friendly — The power that the sun generates doesn't produce harmful emissions. That lowers your home's carbon footprint.
- Diverse applications — Your family can use solar power for many purposes besides home comfort. You can even incorporate solar energy into the materials you use to build your home.
Disadvantages of Solar Energy
- High initial cost — Although there are several incentives available, the upfront costs of installing solar power can be intimidating. The cost of solar has dramatically reduced in the last 10 years. With the constant technological advancements being made in the industry, you can expect prices to keep decreasing in the future.
- Weather dependence — The sun doesn't shine brightly throughout the day. Your solar system will be less efficient when sunlight is limited, for example, on an overcast day.
- Expensive storage — You can store solar energy in large batteries for later use. The batteries will allow you to use the energy all day long, but they're expensive.
Now you know the main advantages and disadvantages of using solar power for your home comfort. As years go by and technology advances, the cons will be more manageable. For more information about solar energy, please contact us at Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly serve the Fort Wayne area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about solar power and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 260-376-2961.